Electric switch.



w I it w r m, M

m F IL Z m 6. J D...

J: \IEQQ Wine-sen handle,

switch elements may UNITED STATES GEORGE A. BURNHAM, OF SAUGUS, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SEARS B. GONDIT, 1B,, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 14, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Bait known that I, Gnoaon A. BURNIIAM,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Saugus, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric switches or circuihbreakers, which are adapted to be employed in manholes and other more or less accessible places.

In such places it is desirable that the handle or other operating member shall be detachable, so that the switch or circuithreaker cannbt be operated.

This invention has for its object improvements in this type of switch or circuitbreaker.

In accordance with my invention, the meeh anism which is employed for operating the switch-elements, with the exce tion of the is confined within a tig t inclosing- A case, and said mechanism has a handlerecelving member, which is adapted to be engaged by a detachable handle, which han dle may be carried about by the operator, Said confined handle-receiving member is arranged to be exposed, upon the removal of a plug, or some equivalent element, fron al hole in the wall of the ease, to admit ofth handle bein engaged therewith.

As an ad itional feature of my invention, said plug is ado to be removed by means] of the, same YQ 'whieh is" subsequently sorted through the plug-hole to engage as handle-receiving element, to operate the switch-mechanism;

Another feature of my invention is the construction of the inelosmg-case, especially adapting it for use in damp or wet places. Another feature of my invention is in the provision of means for mounting the switch elements upon a separate plate, whereby said be assembled as a. unit and inserted in the switch-inclining case.

Many features disclosed but not claimed in this application are disclosed and claimed in application Serial No 76,919 filed February 5, 1916. t,

Figure 1 is a front elevation and partial section of an electric sWltCl'l or circuitbrealier emboc ing this invention,

Figs. 2 and 3 are secti nal detailso i pors tions of the operatinscmechanising Fig. 4c is :1 fragments rudetail-illfl'strating particularly the soeketcd plug which closes the ope iiing in the wall of the case, through which access to the confined operating-mechanism is obtained. y

10 represents thebiI-can, or rece tacle, which is of any suitable shape and dimensions. As here shown, it is made flaring at the top, so that its topportion overhangs the can. 1. ,is a cover arranged. to be fitted tightly on top of said can, and to be secured thereto by bolts or other means. A screweye 13 may be secured to the top of the cover.

15 and 16 represent two stationary switchel'ements, arranged in insulated bushings 17 and 18, which latter are supported by aplate 19, arranged horizontally in the top part of the can, and resting upon ears 20, and secured thereto by screws or other means. Said supporting-plate is adapted to tightly close theoil-containing compartment of the receptacle, although ventilation may be pro-u vided, if desired. This method. of securing the switch elements upon a. supporting plate admits of the complete assembly of the switch elements. inde endent of the receptacle, and theirassem 1y therein or removal therefriitn, as a complete unit. The upper ends (if the switch-elements 15 and 16, have binding-means 21' and 22, by which the circuit-wires 23, 24, and said wires extend outward through insulated bushings 25,1itted in holes in the bottom part of the overhangingtop-portion of the case, which bushings are extended down wardly, so that moisture which collects in the case will flow down and will not have any tendency to enter the case.

t 0 represents the movable switch-element having a vertically movable rod 31,-. said element being movable into and out of engagement with the stationary switch-element. There may be any desired number of pairs of stationary switchelements, and corresponding movable switeh-elerneijggq I A lever 35, is pivotally connected at one end, as at 36, to the movable sfwitcli element, its other end being pivoted at 37 to an oil-r 38, rising from the sup orting-plate 19. There is a toggle connected with s," i'd lever near the pivot 37. One member 40 of the toggle, is ltxvsely connected with the lever 35. intermediate its length. and the other member 43, has a hub 44. arranged in hearings in the ear y 38;and extended through said ear and held against ondwise movement. The hub 44 has are connected therewith, 85

which is formed withakbyway adapted to receive a detachable handle, so that said hub serves as the handle-receiving element of the operating-mechanism. In

a center-hole 60,

. lieu of this form of operating-mechanism for so that a handle 65, having an end-portion sponding to the shape 66 of a shape and size in cross=section correand size of the hole in the hub, may be projected through said .hole in the wall and into said hub thereby to connect the handle with the hub for the purpose of turning said hub to operate the toggle and move the lever 33, and switchclement connected therewith.

In Fig. 2, the handle is represented as con nected with the hub, and in Fig. an end view of the hub with its annular ring, is shown.

Excepting when it is desired to operate the switch, the handle is removed or disengaged from the hub, and the hole in the wall of the case is tightly closed by a screw-plug 70, or equivalent closure, see Fig. 2. Said plug, as here shown, has an external socket with a keyway of a shape and size corresponding to the end-portion of the handle, so that said end-portion may be projected into said socket and the handle thus used to turn the plug; or other handle-engaging means may be provided on the plug.

It will be observed that when the handle is disengaged and the hole in the wall of the inclosing-case closed by the plug, the operating mechanism for the switch elements, and the switch elements are confined within a tight inelosing case.

I claim v 1. In an electric switch, an inclosing casing, comprising an oil receptacle and a cover therefor, said oil receptacle having bushings extended through the top part of the walls thereof for the passage of switch leads into the casing, a plate disposed in said oil receptacle below said switch lead bushings and detachably secured to said casing, a switch unit supported by said plate and adapted to be entirely inclosed by said casing comprising stationary switch contacts depe 'ling from said plate having extensions extended above said plate for connection with switch leads, movable switch members, and operating mechanism for said movable members, a

component (part of said operating mechamsm exten ing into proximity with a Wall of said oil receptacle and having a handle engageable portion for connection with a. detachable handle by which the switch may be operated, an opening through the wall of said oil receptacle in alinement with the handle engageable portion for the insertion of the detachable switch handle and a plug normally sealing said opening against entrance of water, said plate and said switch unit, comprising said stationary contact members, movable switch members and operating mechanism, being removable from said oil receptacle, and said casing, when said cover is thereafter secured to said oil receptacle, being sealed against entrance of moisture.

'2. In an electric switch, an inclosing casing, comprising an oil receptacle and a cover therefor, said oil receptacle having insulating bushings extended through the top part of the walls thereof for the passage 01' switch leads into the 'asing, a plate disposed in said oil receptacle below said switch lead bushings and detachably secured to said casing, a -switch unit supported by said plate comprising stationary switch contacts depending from said plate and having extensions extended above said plate for connection with the switch leads. movable switch members, and operating mechanism for said movable members, all of said Operating mechanism and switch members adapted to be entirely inclosed within said casing. a component. part of said operating lIljQ'Lllanism being arranged in proximity with a wall of said receptacle and having a handle engageable portion adapted to be engaged by a detachable switch operating handle in sorted through an opening in the wall of said receptacle, said oil receptacle having an opening in a wall thereof in a'linement with the handle engageable portion of said component part of the, said operating mech anism, a plug in said opening normally sealing said opening against entrance of moisture and removable therefrom to permit the insertion of a switch operating handle. said plate with said switch members being removable from said casing-and said (over being thereafter replaceable and said casing is thereby sealed against entrance of mo1s ture. i

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. BI RXHAM.

Witnesses B. J. Noyes, H. B. DAVIS. 

